Omari Hutchinson has revealed how much it would mean to get to qualify for the final of the UEFA Europa League with Nottingham Forest this season.
The Tricky Trees have struggled domestically in the league this season, but are in the semifinal of the Europa League and already have a foot in the final.
Chris Wood netted the decisive goal in the first leg clash from the penalty spot to give them a 1-0 lead in the first leg and a slender advantage to take into the return fixture.
However, Hutchinson has expressed what it would mean for the club and players if they manage to edge Aston Villa and reach the final.
“I think for us getting to the semi-final has been a massive boost to the club, to us players because it’s very hard to get into the semi-finals”, Hutchinson said.
“Obviously, we’ve just won (against Aston Villa), so we’ve got to focus on next week.
“If we get to the final, it’s going to be amazing for the club and for everyone, really.”
Forest now face Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday, before turning their attention to the clash against Villa in midweek.
The Tricky Trees are not safe in the Premier League yet, with just five points above the drop zone.
“It’s about recovery. I think we’ve got to recover fast and just treat our body right”, Hutchinson added.
“We’ve just got to dig through it, it’s the last four games now, so we’ve just got to dig deep and keep going.
“We want to win all our games. I think we’ve got a massive confidence now, we’ve been winning a lot. I think next week we can get at them again”, he concluded.
Forest now have two crucial games to play in the coming weeks, beginning with Monday’s clash with Chelsea.
Should they overcome Aston Villa next Thursday, they would face either Freiburg or Braga in the final of the Europa League.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
